a sad goodbye

I am cancer free, so really, it doesn’t make sense to keep writing on this blog.  There are other huge trials in my life, so I may write about them one day, but for now, God is working in me in the closet of secluded time with Him.  It isn’t something that can be shared with people right now.  How can I explain what He is doing in my heart?  He is taking me through the deep waters in His ways.

I have enjoyed writing and sharing with you.  If you want to visit me someday at another blog, you can let me know in the comments and when/if I start another one, I will let you know (if that is possible).

And my heart is full of gratitude for your prayers over the last few years.  I thank God for you!  It has been a humbling thing to be prayed for by people from across the world.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.  He is such a dear Shepherd!

worshipping God in the midst of the pandemic

This time is so different for us all.  I am reminded that the disciples didn’t focus on the government or politics.  They focused on gathering, praying, worshipping and spreading the Gospel.  Oh, that I would do the same!

Here is where I will be Sunday morning.  Early in Washington state (6:30am) but other places later.  It is just simple, old hymns, a keyboard and one man singing.  Sweet family.

Hope you can join me in worshipping our wonderful Savior!  (It was good.  Here it is.  He has had technical difficulties in past ones but this one works fine once you get it started)

pruning time

This blog post is inspired by Debi Pryde’s talk on pruning:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy84KogXJeU   She inspires me to seek God in His Word., and so here are some thoughts as I listened to her talk.

Winter is a time for pruning fruit trees and roses.  It is a time of rest for the plants to work on their roots.  And God gives me Winter times in which to grow in my roots as well.  This is one of those times, and I think many of us feel dormant in this time.

John 15 says,

1 I am the true Vine, and my Father is the Husbandman.
2 Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.
5 I am the Vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.

Sweet to picture God as the Husbandman (gardener) Who works in me, His little garden.

This time in my life is a pruning time.  There have been many afflictions.  It is a time to refresh, regroup and change, as I cling to my Vine.  He is pruning away the unnecessary things in my life, and most of the time I do not understand it, but I trust Him.  And when I look back I can see His hand and then I look forward to the hope of blossoms and fruit that bring Him glory.

the Hiding Place

Oh, I get it now!   I have just finished watching the movie about the Ten Booms and the title has never hit me until now.  He, God, is The Hiding Place!   These times we are in seem to be heading toward what they went through.  Government control, even though it appears for our good, can be taken too far.  And in my fears…. Oh, but God is so faithful.  He is still good in the midst of, pain, hunger, overwork, sickness and lice in a concentration camp.  Oh, He is still worth following.   He still has a purpose for me here, in the midst of this trial.  I don’t know what it is, but I will trust Him.  And He is my Hiding Place.

I have struggled with hopelessness and despair, and God has showed me through these dear sisters, that I can love and trust Him in the midst of even this.  Suffering does not mean He loves me less.  Oh, what a relief!

Corrie shared the Gospel for the rest of her life.  Even if it is to one person, it can be worth it.

a sweet message about the love of God

I have come to love this woman.  I hope she blesses you as well.  There is so much in her talk that I am encouraged by.  I will re-listen multiple times to glean all that I can from her.

hope in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic

We all need hope.  I have hope in life after death because of what Jesus did for me.  And in God’s promises I rely.   Praying for you.  Feel free to reach out with questions and thoughts.

results of brain mri

It is all good.  Just one large scar tissue spot that expands a wee bit.  We will keep watching it and if it affects my balance then she will think of something to do to fix it.  But she is not worried and therefore, neither am I!

And I experienced such grace and compassion by her nurse, then a quick and loving conversation with Dr. Vermeulen.  I praise God for His provision!

Thank you for praying.  Next one in four months.